It was 1495th success space launch of a launcher based on the R-7 ICBM, 666th
launch of Soyuz-U in total score, 250th launch of Soyuz-U from Baykonur and
350th launch in total score (including space launchers and ICBMs) from LC31 of
Baykonur.

The satellite caused a great deal of controversy when in burned into the
atmosphere on 23 Sep 1997 from the Western Isles to the north of England (UK).